Alar Base Reduction: From Wide Nostrils to Refined Features

Alar base reduction is a popular rhinoplasty surgery that is done to reshape the nose to look like it blends with the face’s harmony. It’s always in demand, and approximately 220,000 surgeries are done every year in the US alone.

If you have flared or wide nostrils and you want to get them proportionate to your face, then you can consider this procedure. Before that, you must know about its benefits, potential risks, and what the procedure is. Read this post to learn all about it so that you can get a clue if you’re the right fit for it.

What’s Alar Base Reduction?

Alar base reduction, also known as alarplasty, is a procedure that changes the shape and width of your nose by reducing the alar base size. The alar base is the lower curved part of the nose that connects the upper lip and the cheeks to the nose.

In this surgery, the surgeon repositions or removes the excess tissues from your nostrils, giving them a more balanced, proportionate appearance so that they can complement your overall face.

There are different techniques used to perform this surgery. These include the wedge excision, nasal sill excision, or V-Y advancement. The procedure is often a part of rhinoplasty, but you can get it separately as well.

After this surgery, you may start to see the results within 1 to 2 weeks. The bruising and the swelling will take a couple of weeks to disappear. The full recovery will happen from 1 to 3 months, and it may vary from patient to patient.

What Incision Techniques Are Used In This Surgery?

There are multiple incision techniques used to precisely change the shape and width of the nose with this surgery. These include:

• Sill: A tiny cut inside the nostril crease helps reduce the width subtly.
• Alar wedge Excision: A small piece of tissue is taken from the outer base to narrow the nose.
• Weir incisions: This method removes a bit from the nostril sides to lessen flaring.

How Much Does An Alarplasty Cost?

The cost of the alar base reduction rhinoplasty depends on the location, experience of the surgeon, complexity of the procedure, and special goals of the patient. 

The most affordable option for this surgery is in Turkey, which is only $2,000 to $3,000. In the US, it can range from $3,000 to $7,000. If you’re Australian, then the cost starts from $7,500 and goes up to $25,000.

Recovery

Nasal base reduction isn’t as invasive as other rhinoplasty procedures. Hence, its recovery is quick and can take only 1 to 2 weeks. You may start seeing the results as well at that time. The full recovery may take 1 to 3 months.

Throughout the healing, it’s completely normal for your nose to get red, swollen, and also bruised. These symptoms subside within a few weeks. The stitches are removed just after a week post-surgery.

Who’s The Right Candidate For Alar Base Reduction?

Many people may be interested in this surgery for many reasons. Some may want to reshape their nose because of having a previous rhinoplasty.  Others may have suffered significant nasal trauma that they want to cover up.

Knowing who the right candidate is for this is crucial for its success and the patient’s safety.

• Good overall health and no smoking habits support proper healing
• Complete recovery from any previous nasal surgery is important
• Wide or flared nostrils that feel out of balance may benefit
• A more symmetrical, proportionate appearance is often the goal
• Realistic expectations are key to feeling satisfied with the outcome
• Nose structure, medical history, and past procedures all factor into candidacy

Procedure Of Alar Base Reduction

The standard procedure that we follow at Asli Tarcan Clinic is as follows. 

• You’ll arrive at our clinic, meet our surgeons, and they’ll discuss your goals, important insights, and how they’re going to get started. 
• They may ask you about your current health, the medications you’re on, and what kind of deformity you want to get rid of through the surgery.
• After the detailed conclusion, the surgeon makes marks around your nostrils where the incision will go. 
• This helps you visualize the incision and also makes it easier for the surgeons to make precise moves.
• The procedure then starts with you being put under general anesthesia so that the surgery can be done painlessly.
• The surgeon then makes incisions on the nostrils and carves out the shape of your nose by removing or repositioning the excess tissue on the nostril. They do it using different incision techniques carefully and precisely.
• The incisions are then bandaged, and you get the post-care tips from the surgeons that you can apply. The bandages will stay with you for some days until the wounds are healed.

We recommend you have somebody with you who can drive you home when you’re done with the surgery. You may not be in a good position to drive yourself.

Benefits Of Alarplasty

There are various advantages of alar base reduction, which include:

• It makes wide nostrils look more in proportion with your face
• Helps tone down nostril flaring for a more refined look
• Brings better balance and symmetry to your nose
• It can enhance how your whole face looks overall
• Often gives people a nice boost in confidence
• Scars are usually tiny and hidden, so they’re barely noticeable

Potential Risks Of Alar Base Reduction

Potential risks associated with alarplasty include:

• Prolonged swelling
• Bleeding
• Scarring
• Unsatisfactory cosmetic results
• Infection
• Changes in nasal function
• Asymmetry
• Revision surgery

Asli Tarcan Clinic | Get Your Alar Base Reduction Surgery Today 

Alarplasty, which is also known as alar base reduction, is a procedure that fixes flared or wide nostrils. It removes or repositions the excess tissue on the nostrils, giving your nose a more refined and balanced appearance. It’s performed under local anaesthesia if you get it separately, or under general anaesthesia if you’re taking it as part of a rhinoplasty surgery. 

Any patient who has too wide nostrils or too much excess tissue on the alar base can consider getting this surgery. Before they take it, they must have a detailed consultation with the surgeons, tell them about their existing health issues, and the medications.

Looking for safe and affordable Alar base reduction surgery? Consider the Asli Tarcan Clinic in Turkey. We’re a leading rhinoplasty clinic with board-certified surgeons specialising in alarplasty. Contact us today.

What are the risks of alar reduction?

There’s a small chance of swelling, scarring, or the nostrils healing unevenly.

Can alarplasty go wrong?

Things can go off track if healing doesn’t go well or the results feel unbalanced.

Is there any risk in nose surgery?

Yes, like with any surgery, there’s always some risk of infection, bleeding, or not loving the outcome.